Our Story

Hamilton Williams Gallery began as an effort to simply relocate Hamilton's production pottery studio into downtown Morganton, NC, but it grew into a whole lot more.

After many years making pots on the outskirts of the adjacent town of Valdese, Hamilton wanted to take part in the burgeoning revitalization of Morganton's downtown area. Several month's of searching found an old brick building with warehouse space and two store fronts. As the renovation of the building rolled forward, it soon became clear that the building's store fronts were the best place to display pottery created in the studio while also providing an excellent venue for other talented regional artisans and artists to show their work as well.

Today, Hamilton Williams Gallery is Morganton's top arts destination, featuring the fine craft of artisans from the Appalachian region and beyond. The restored 100 year-old building provides a welcoming and comfortable space where one can linger and browse at leisure. The exposed brick, original tin ceiling, and hardwood floors provide a perfect backdrop for the variety of color, texture, form, and materials that fill this incredible space.

Step through a door beside the sales counter and enter the pottery studio itself. On most days in good weather, the doors and windows are thrown open while Hamilton and his studio staff stay hard at work designing and making new pottery by hand. During a visit, guests may learn a thing or two about pottery and perhaps about Morganton itself.